Smugglers (2023 film)

2023 South Korean film

Smugglers

Theatrical release poster

Hangul|

Hanja|

RR| Milsu
MR| Milsu
Directed by| Ryoo Seung-wan
Written by|

* Ryoo Seung-wan
* Kim Jeong-yeon
* Choi Cha-won

Produced by|

* Kang Hye-jung
* Jo Seong-min
* Ryoo Seung-wan

Starring|

* Kim Hye-soo
* Yum Jung-ah
* Zo In-sung
* Park Jeong-min
* Kim Jong-soo
* Go Min-si

Cinematography| Choi Young-hwan
Edited by| Lee Kang-hee
Music by| Chang Kiha

Production
company

Filmmaker R&K

Distributed by| Next Entertainment World

Release date

* July 26, 2023 (2023-07-26)

Running time

| 129 minutes
Country| South Korea
Language| Korean
Box office| US$36.9 million[1]

Smugglers (Korean: 밀수; RR: Milsu) is a 2023 South Korean crime film directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, who co-wrote the film with Kim Jeong-yeon. The film stars Kim Hye-soo, Yum Jung-ah, Zo In-sung, Park Jeong-min, Kim Jong-soo, and Go Min-si. It was released theatrically on July 26, 2023.[2][3]

The film is said to be based on the motif of haenyeo who participated in smuggling in the 1970s, overlapping with the fact that a female smuggling ring was active in Busan at the time.[4]

## Plot

[edit]

In 1974, in the small coastal village of Guncheon, a group of female divers (haenyeo), including Jo Chun-ja and Um Jin-sook, struggle to make a living due to pollution from a nearby chemical plant. With their catches spoiled, Jin-sook's father, Captain Um, is persuaded by a smuggling broker to use their fishing boat, Maengryong-ho, for underwater smuggling. Initially hesitant, the haenyeo eventually agree to retrieve goods dumped underwater in exchange for money, leading to sudden prosperity in their impoverished village.

As the smuggling escalates, Chun-ja convinces the others to participate in a gold smuggling operation without informing Captain Um. During the mission, a box accidentally breaks open, revealing the gold, just as customs officers arrive. In a frantic escape, the ship's anchor gets stuck, and Jin-sook's brother, Jin-goo, is knocked unconscious. Captain Um dies trying to save him, leaving Jin-sook devastated. Chun-ja escapes unnoticed, while the rest of the haenyeo are arrested and jailed, Jin-sook for the longest.

Years later, Chun-ja is running her own smuggling business in Seoul, but when she encroaches on a major gangster's turf, she is forced to offer Guncheon as an alternative smuggling route. Reconnecting with her old community, Chun-ja finds the haenyeo ruined by the past, with Jin-sook now working under a corrupt former crewman, Jang Do-ri. Tensions rise as Chun-ja tries to win control over the smuggling network while growing closer to the gangster Kwon, and Jin-sook begins to suspect Chun-ja of betrayal.

Chun-ja and Jin-sook briefly unite when they uncover that Jang Do-ri and customs officer Jang-chun were behind the tragic betrayal years earlier. They devise a plan to pit the two against each other. However, Do-ri, now ambitious and ruthless, brings in gangsters to seize full control, resulting in a violent confrontation where Chun-ja is kidnapped and forced into another smuggling dive under duress. With clever manipulation and coordination, the haenyeo stage a counterattack and begin to turn the tide.

Do-ri is tricked and overpowered by the haenyeo. Though Jin-sook is tempted to kill him, Chun-ja stops her from crossing the line. As the women claim the sea and their freedom, Do-ri meets his gruesome end. It is revealed Kwon survived and is surprised by Chun-ja, who slyly returns one of the stolen diamonds, tucked atop a bowl of rice.

## Cast

[edit]

* Kim Hye-soo as Jo Chun-ja[5][6]
* Yum Jung-ah as Um Jin-sook[6]
* Zo In-sung as Kwon Pil-sam[6]
* Park Jeong-min as Jang Do-ri[6]
* Kim Jong-soo as Lee Jang-chun[7][6]
* Go Min-si as Go Ok-bun[8][6]
* Kim Jae-hwa as Pig mom[9]
* Park Jun-myeon as Yang Geum-ne[9]
* Park Kyung-hye as Dok-soon[9]
* Joo Bo-bi as Eok-cheok[9]
* Baek Joo-hee as Somers
* Jin Kyung as Laura
* Yoon Kyung-ho as Chief Detective

## Production

[edit]

Principal photography began on June 5, 2021 and ended on October 13.[10]

## Release

[edit]

The film was officially invited to the Special Presentations section at 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, which held from September 7 to 17 following the Locarno International Film Festival.[11]

## Reception

[edit]

### Box office

[edit]

The film was released on July 26, 2023 in South Korea. The opening recorded 318,084 admissions and topped the South Korean box office for two weeks. The film surpassed 1 million admissions on fourth day of its released and surpassed 4 million on their 17th days of released. Smugglers became the second movie to reach break-even point in 2023 after The Roundup: No Way Out.

## Accolades

[edit]

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination  Award ceremony  | Year  | Category  | Nominee  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

Baeksang Arts Awards | 2024 | Best Director | Ryoo Seung-wan | Nominated  | [12][13]
Best Actress | Yum Jung-ah | Nominated
Best Supporting Actor | Kim Jong-soo | Won
Park Jeong-min | Nominated
Best New Actress | Go Min-si | Nominated
Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2023 | Best Film | Smugglers | Won  | [14][15]
Best Director  | Ryoo Seung-wan | Nominated
Best Actress | Kim Hye-soo | Nominated
Yum Jung-ah | Nominated
Best Supporting Actor  | Zo In-sung | Won
Park Jeong-min | Nominated
Best New Actress  | Go Min-si | Won
Best Screenplay  | Ryoo Seung-wan | Nominated
Best Music  | Chang Kiha | Won
Best Cinematography and lighting  | Choi Young-hwan, Lee Jae-hyeok  | Nominated
Best Art Direction  | Lee Hoo-kyoung  | Nominated
Best Film Editing  | Lee Gang-hee  | Nominated
Buil Film Awards | 2023 | Best Supporting Actor  | Kim Jong-soo | Won  | [16][17]
Best Supporting Actress  | Go Min-si | Won
Best New Actress  | Nominated
Best Actress  | Yum Jung-ah | Nominated
Best Film  | Smugglers  | Nominated
Best Director  | Ryoo Seung-wan | Nominated
Best Music  | Chang Kiha | Nominated
Best Cinematography  | Choi Young-hwan  | Nominated
Art/technical Award  | Lee Hoo-kyoung  | Nominated
Busan International Film Festival with Marie Claire Asia Star Awards  | 2023  | Face of Asia Award  | Go Min-si | Won  | [18]
Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2023 | Best Actress  | Kim Hye-soo | Won  | [19]
Best Supporting Actor  | Kim Jong-soo | Won
Best New Actress  | Go Min-si | Won
Grand Bell Awards | 2023 | Best Film  | Smugglers | Nominated  | [20][21]
Best Director  | Ryoo Seung-wan | Won
Best Actress  | Yum Jung-ah | Nominated
Best Supporting Actress  | Go Min-si | Nominated
Best Supporting Actor  | Park Jeong-min | Nominated
Kim Jong-soo | Nominated
Best Music  | Chang Kiha | Nominated
Best Cinematography  | Choi Young-hwan  | Won
Best Film Editing  | Lee Gang-hee  | Nominated
Best Art Direction  | Lee Hoo-kyung  | Nominated
Best Costume Design  | Yoon Jung-hee, Kwon Soo-kyung  | Nominated
Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | 2023  | Best Supporting Actor  | Kim Jong-soo | Won  | [22]
Technical Award: (Art)  | Lee Hoo-kyoung  | Won
Music Award  | Chang Kiha | Won

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2023". KOFIC. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
2. ^ Kang Min-kyung (January 25, 2023). [공식] 류승완 '밀수', 올여름 개봉 확정...김혜수·염정아의 첫 만남 [[Official] Ryoo Seung-wan's 'Smuggling' confirmed to be released this summer... Kim Hye-soo and Yum Jung-ah's first meeting] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
3. ^ Hong Se-young (April 12, 2023). 김혜수·염정아·조인성·박정민 '밀수', 7월 26일 개봉 확정 [공식] [Kim Hye-soo, Yeom Jeong-ah, Jo In-seong, and Park Jung-min 'Smugglers' confirmed to be released on July 26 [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023 – via Naver.
4. ^ Kukinew (July 30, 2023). '류승완 감독 밝힌 '밀수'의 몇 가지 이야기 [쿠키인터뷰]". Kuki News. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
5. ^ Jeon Hyung-hwa (May 6, 2021). [단독]김혜수·염정아·조인성·박정민·고민시·김종수, 류승완 '밀수' 호화 라인업 완성[종합] [[Exclusive] Kim Hye-soo, Yeom Jeong-ah, Jo In-seong, Park Jeong-min, Ko Min-si, Kim Jong-soo, Ryu Seung-wan's 'Smuggling' luxury lineup completed [Comprehensive]]. star.mt (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
6. ^ a b c d e f Kim Bora (June 15, 2023). ""6인 6색" '밀수' 김혜수→고민시, 색다른 변신" ["6 people, 6 colors" 'smuggling' Kim Hye-soo → Go Min-si, a different transformation] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023 – via Naver.
7. ^ Lim Jong-myung (June 11, 2021). 영화 '밀수', 조인성·박정민·고민시·김종수 합류. Never (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
8. ^ Jeon Hyung-hwa (May 6, 2021). [단독]고민시, 류승완 감독 '밀수' 합류..김혜수·염정아와 호흡 [[Exclusive] Minsi Goo joins director Ryu Seung-wan's 'Smuggling'... Breathing with Hye-soo Kim and Jeong-ah Yeom]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
9. ^ a b c d '밀수' 박경혜, 이번엔 해녀다. Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
10. ^ Jung Hee-yeon (June 11, 2021). '밀수' 김혜수X염정아X조인성X박정민 캐스팅...크랭크인 [공식] ['Smuggling' Kim Hye-soo, Yum Jung-ah, Jo In-seong, Park Jung-min cast... Crankin [Official]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
11. ^ Kwak Myung-dong (July 25, 2023). '밀수' 토론토 국제영화제 스페셜 프레젠테이션 섹션 공식 초청, "류승완의 시그니처 액션" (in Korean). MyDaily. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
12. ^ Lee, Seung-hoon (May 7, 2024). '무빙'→'서울의 봄' 대상..'파묘'는 4관왕 [제60회 백상예술대상][종합] ['Moving' → 'Seoul Spring' Grand Prize..'Buried Grave' wins 4 awards [60th Baeksang Arts Awards] [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024 – via Naver.
13. ^ Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). 60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Naver.
14. ^ Kim Yu-jin (November 6, 2023). 제44회 청룡영화상 후보 발표...'밀수'·'콘크리트 유토피아' 11개 부문 최다 노미네이트 [44th Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominations Announced...'Smugglere'-'Concrete Utopia' Receive Most Nominations in 11 Categories]. X-ports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Naver.
15. ^ Baek Ji-eun (November 24, 2023). [44th청룡] 김혜수, 영원한 청룡영화상 "후회없이 충실했던 30년, 모든 순간이 영광"(종합) [[44th Blue Dragon] Kim Hye-soo, Eternal Blue Dragon Film Award ㅊ30 years of faithfulness without regrets, every moment is glorious" (Comprehensive)] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Naver.
16. ^ Ha Kyung-min (August 31, 2023). 올해 부일영화상 최우수작품상 후보 5편 선정 [Five films selected as Best Picture nominees for this year's Buil Film Awards]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via Naver.
17. ^ Jang Ah-reum (October 5, 2023). '콘토피아' 부일영화상 최우수 작품상...이병헌 남우주연상까지 4관왕(종합) ['Contopia' Buil Film Awards Best Picture Award... Lee Byung-hun wins 4 awards including Best Actor (overall)]. News 1 (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
18. ^ Lee, Seo-hyun (October 6, 2023). 마리끌레르 아시아스타어워즈 2023 [Marie Claire Asia Star Awards 2023] (in Korean). Marie Claire. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023 – via Naver.
19. ^ Park Jae-hwan (December 7, 2023). 춘사국제영화제, 김지운 감독 최우수감독상... 김혜수-류준열 주연상 수상 [Chunsa International Film Festival, director Kim Ji-woon wins Best Director Award... Kim Hye-soo and Ryu Jun-yeol win Best Actor Award]. KBS Entertainment News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
20. ^ Ha-neul Lee (October 24, 2023). 제59회 대종상영화제, 남우주연상→여우주연상 후보 및 각 부문별 선정 [59th Grand Bell Awards, Best Actor → Best Actress Award nominations and selection in each category]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
21. ^ Ha-neul Lee (October 24, 2023). 제59회 대종상영화제, 남우주연상→여우주연상 후보 및 각 부문별 선정 [59th Grand Bell Awards, Best Actor → Best Actress Award nominations and selection in each category]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
22. ^ Yang, So-young (September 4, 2023). 김서형 류준열, 영평상 주연상 받는다...작품상은 '다음 소희 [Kim Seo-hyung Ryu Jun-yeol, Youngpyeong Award for Best Actor... 'Next Sohee' for Best Picture] (in Korean). Star Today. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023 – via Naver.

## External links

[edit]

* Smugglers at the Korean Movie Database (in Korean)
* Smugglers at HanCinema
* Smugglers at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Film

* Bloodline (1963)
* Ingyeo ingan (1964)
* Sorrow Even Up in Heaven (1965)
* Market (1966)
* Flame in the Valley (1967)
* Descendants of Cain (1969)
* The Old Jar Craftsman (1970)
* When a Woman Breaks Her Jewel Box (1971)
* Oyster Village (1972)
* The Three-Day Reign (1973)
* Black Republic (1990)
* Death Song (1991)
* Our Twisted Hero (1992)
* Seopyeonje (1993)
* The Taebaek Mountains (1994)
* A Single Spark (1995)
* Festival (1996)
* Green Fish (1997)
* Christmas in August (1998)
* Nowhere to Hide (1999)
* Joint Security Area (2000)
* One Fine Spring Day (2001)
* Chi-hwa-seon (2002)
* Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003)
* Silmido (2004)
* Lady Vengeance (2005)
* The Host (2006)
* The Show Must Go On (2007)
* Forever the Moment (2008)
* Mother (2009)
* Secret Reunion (2010)
* The Unjust (2011)
* Pietà (2012)
* Hope (2013)
* The Attorney (2014)
* Assassination (2015)
* Inside Men (2016)
* A Taxi Driver (2017)
* 1987: When the Day Comes (2018)
* Parasite (2019)
* The Man Standing Next (2020)
* Escape from Mogadishu (2021)
* Decision to Leave (2022)
* Smugglers (2023)

* v
* t
* e

Films written and directed by Ryoo Seung-wan

* Die Bad (2000)
* No Blood No Tears (2002)
* Arahan (2004)
* Crying Fist (2005)
* The City of Violence (2006)
* Dachimawa Lee (2008)
* The Unjust (2010, directed only)
* The Berlin File (2013)
* Veteran (2015)
* The Battleship Island (2017)
* Escape from Mogadishu (2021)
* Smugglers (2023)
* I, the Executioner (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Works by Next Entertainment World

TV series|

| 2010s|

* The Beauty Inside (2015)
* Descendants of the Sun (2016)
* Ms. Hammurabi (2018)
* Chief of Staff (2019)

|

2020s|

* Oh My Baby (2020)
* Graceful Friends (2020)
* The Devil Judge (2021)
* Doom at Your Service (2021)
* Rookie Cops (2022)
* Doctor Cha (2023)
* Moving (South Korean TV series) (2023)
* Tell Me That You Love Me (2023)

Film|

| 2000s|

* A Season of Good Rain (2009)

|

2010s|

* Haunters (2010)
* Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013)
* New World (2013)
* Hide and Seek (2013)
* Sea Fog (2014)
* Northern Limit Line (2015)
* Twenty (2015)
* The Tiger: An Old Hunter's Tale (2015)
* Train to Busan (2016)
* The Villainess (2017)
* Steel Rain (2017)
* Swing Kids (2018)
* Start-Up (2019)

2020s|

* Honest Candidate (2020)
* Night in Paradise (2020)
* Hostage: Missing Celebrity (2021)
* The Witch: Part 2. The Other One (2022)
* Special Delivery (2022)
* Honest Candidate 2 (2022)
* The Night Owl (2022)
* Soulmate (2023)
* Smugglers (2023)
* The Childe (2023)

OTT Original Series|

| 2020s|

* Moving (2023)
* The Tyrant (2024)

|

*[Ref.]: Reference(s)
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template